Method and apparatus for conserving water in a car washing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A high pressure car wash apparatus providing economy of both water and detergent by the recirculation of a portion of the water and detergent being utilized to a holding tank for reintroduction into the system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a high pressure, wand type car washapparatus and a method for using the same which provides for waterconservation.

[0003] 2. Art Relating to the Invention

[0004] The wand type car wash apparatus differs markedly from theconventional car wash which functions on an assembly line principlewherein a plurality of spaced stations are provided, each stationcarrying out a different preassigned task on a moving vehicle. The wandtype device is a compact unit by means of which all washing functionsmay be carried out in situ on a stationary vehicle. The wand type deviceis by design small, compact and readily movable if a change of locationis desired.

[0005] Present wand type units make no provision, however, for basiceconomies, such as that of water and detergent. With the increasingfrequency of water shortages, water economy is essential and waterconsuming devices, such as the one under consideration, have been thesubject of criticism and even prohibition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is therefore an important object of the present invention toprovide a high pressure wand type car wash apparatus which provides forcertain economies, particularly that of water, while maintaining itscompactness and mobility. The present invention also conservesdetergent, thereby lowering the amount of detergent used and the amountof detergent released into the environment.

[0007] High pressure spray type car wash apparatus for saving wateraccording to the present invention comprising a motor driven pump havingan inlet and an outlet, a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, afirst supply conduit for conducting water from a tap, a second supplyconduit for conducting liquid from the reservoir, said first and secondsupply conduits being in communication with the pump inlet, the pumpoutlet being in communication with two discharge conduits, a firstdischarge conduit in communication with the reservoir and a seconddischarge conduit in communication with a high pressure dispenser, afirst valve means for regulating the flow of fluid from said pump outletto said reservoir, means for injecting cleaning agents into the system,and a second valve means for automatically shutting off the flow ofliquid from the reservoir to said pump inlet when pressurized tap wateris entering the system.

[0008] Preferably, the reservoir is positioned to permit a gravity flowof liquid to the pump. A fitting is interposed in the line between pumpoutlet and the discharge conduits to split the flow of liquid from thepump. The first valve means is suitably a conventional valve forregulating the flow of liquid passing through the respective dischargeconduits which are either manually or electronically controlled.

[0009] The reservoir is suitably positioned directly above the pump andinterconnecting parts and the apparatus is housed within a protectivecasing with a portion of the discharge conduits with dispenser extendingoutwardly of the casing.

[0010] In particular, the apparatus is coin operated, the coin acting inassociation with an electrical switch which first actuates the pumpmotor and, after a predetermined period of time, stops it. The injectionof detergent into the system being independently controlled by theoperator by means of a soap switch or manually or by the coin apparatusto regulate the detergent.

[0011] The method of the present invention involves the use of theapparatus of the present invention to recirculate a portion of the waterfrom the pump outlet to the reservoir. Preferably, about 50 to 90% ofthe output is recirculated to the reservoir. The method comprisesdividing wash water from a pump into two streams, a first streamdirected to a nozzle for washing the car and a second stream directed toa reservoir, storing said second stream in said reservoir during saidwashing thereby conserving some of said wash water, and returning someof said second stream from said reservoir to said pump to be used assaid wash water.

[0012] Other objects and advantages of the device of the presentinvention may become more apparent from an examination of the followingdetailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention showing the apparatus mounted withina housing, and

[0014]FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 whereinelements are shown schematically for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In FIG. 1 the device is shown housed within casing 10 providedwith port 12 permitting access to its interior. Casters 14 dependingfrom the bottom wall permit the unit to be readily moved about.

[0016] The device consists of a high pressure pump 16 interposed withina fluid system which terminates in a high pressure spray which may beused for car washing. In this instance the pump generates 500 lbs. persquare inch and delivers 2 gallons of liquid per minute, the capacity ofthe pump and its delivery rate being a matter of choice.

[0017] The pump is powered by electric motor 18 housed in the lowerportion of the casing, a power source 19 being exterior of the casingfor powering motor 18.

[0018] A liquid reservoir 20 is supported in the upper portion of thecasing by brackets 22. Supply conduit 24 puts the reservoir incommunication with the pump on its upstream side while discharge conduit26 puts the pump in communication with the reservoir on its downstreamside. Thus, a first complete fluid circuit is provided.

[0019] A second supply conduit 28 puts the pump in communication with anexternal source of tap water, already somewhat pressurized by the systemproviding it. A second discharge conduit 30 puts the pump incommunication, on its downstream side, with a cleaning wand 32exteriorly mounted on an outside wall of the casing. Thus a second fluidcircuit is provided.

[0020] The supply conduits combine at 34 at the pump inlet and thedischarge conduits separate from a common duct 36 at the pump outlet. Itmay thus be seen that downstream the pump the two circuits share acommon duct 36 and are in communication with one another.

[0021] When tap water is introduced into the system it will flow to pump16 where it is further pressurized and, exiting pump 16, it will flowinto each of the discharge conduits. Thus a portion of the pressurizedwater will flow to the cleaning wand 32 while the remaining portion willflow to reservoir 20 where it is reintroduced into the system throughconduit 24.

[0022] A valve 38 is provided to control the quantity of water returningto reservoir 20. If the valve is completely closed there will be norecirculation of water. The valve may be a spring loaded release valveand may be manually controlled. Valve 38 will control the amount ofwater that is recycled to reservoir 20. This can be controlled manuallyor through conventional electric circuitry.

[0023] A check valve 40 is provided to close off the flow of liquid fromthe reservoir. This valve may be of the vertical flap type and isdesigned to close under pressure when tap water is introduced intoconduit 28.

[0024] A solenoid valve 42 associated with conduit 28 opens and closesthe system to tap water.

[0025] A detergent injection device 44 is employed to inject detergent,preferably liquid detergent, into pump inlet 34 by means of conduit 45.Alternatively, conduit 45 can be connected to pump outlet 36, however,it is preferred to be connected to pump inlet 34 to allow the action ofpump 16 to mix the detergent and water. Such injectors as used with highpressure washers are well known and will not be described further,however, such a device can also be positioned downstream of the pump andcan be controlled by soap switch or manually or the coin operatingmechanism.

[0026] The instant high pressure washer may be advantageously employedas a car wash and when used as such may be electrically activated by theintroduction of a coin into a receptacle 46 designed for that purpose.Timers are employed in conjunction with the electrical system to permita predetermined period of use. Details of such circuitry are well knownand, accordingly, are not shown. However, it will be recognized that asingle processor (computer) can be used to control all of the pumps andthe cycles employed by the device of the present invention. Suchprocessors allow for programming of the cycles and for adjustmentdepending on the water pressure from the tap, the detergent used, theamount of water to be conserved, etc. The timer and coin receptacle 46control the apparatus through the electric motor 18.

[0027] The unit offers a rinse cycle and a wash cycle, the choice andduration being controlled by the user through the valves (or by thedevice through the processor). In both cycles water is recirculated tothe reservoir. In the rinse cycle, however, detergent is not introducedinto the system and the flow of “soapy” water from the reservoir isprevented by valve 40 and from device 44. Detergent injector 44 iselectrically coordinated with the system and injects during the washcycle and cuts off during the rinse cycle.

[0028] It may thus be seen that the device of the present inventionoffers economies not only of water but of detergent, amongst otherthings, in addition to offering a compact, self-contained packageideally suited for use as a high pressure washer, particularly a coinoperated wand type car wash.

What is claimed is:
 1. High pressure spray type car wash apparatuscomprising a motor driven, pump having an inlet and an outlet, areservoir having an inlet and an outlet, a first supply conduit forconducting water from a tap, a second supply conduit for conductingliquid from the reservoir, said first and second supply conduits beingin communication with the pump inlet, the pump outlet being incommunication with two discharge conduits, a first discharge conduit incommunication with the reservoir, a second discharge conduit incommunication with a high pressure dispenser, a first valve means forregulating flow of wash water from the pump outlet to the reservoir,means for injecting cleaning agents into the system, and second valvemeans for automatically shutting off the flow of liquid from thereservoir to the pump inlet when tap water is entering the system.
 2. Anapparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the reservoir is positionedto permit a gravity flow of liquid to the pump, a fitting is interposedin the line between pump outlet and the first and second dischargeconduits to split the flow of liquid from the pump, said fitting beingprovided with the first valve means.
 3. An apparatus in accordance withclaim 1 wherein the reservoir is positioned directly above the pump andinterconnecting parts and the apparatus is housed within a protectivecasing with a portion of the second discharge conduit with dispenserextending outwardly of the casing.
 4. An apparatus in accordance withclaim 1 wherein the apparatus is coin operated, the coin acting inassociation with an electrical switch which first actuates the pumpmotor and, after a predetermined period of time, stops it, the injectionof detergent into the system being independently controlled by theoperator.
 5. A method for conserving water in a portable car washingapparatus comprising: (a) dividing wash water from a pump into twostreams, a first stream directed to a nozzle for washing the car and asecond stream directed to a reservoir; (b) storing said second stream insaid reservoir during said washing thereby conserving some of said washwater; and (c) returning some of said second stream from said reservoirto said pump to be used as said wash water.
 6. The method of claim 5wherein about 50% to about 90% of said wash water is divided to formsaid second stream.